2002 SEAPA Fellowship Program
Asean Media and the Region in Transition
May12-June22, 2002

Synopsis

A. Background

Most of the regional journalists except those who covered Asean meetings are not well aware of Asean history and its importance as a corner stone of individual member’s foreign policy. To understand the region at the time of transition (the grouping’s expansion and integration, leadership changes and social and economic transformation), it is important that the journalists understand the significance of this integration which is proceeding at both political and economic levels. Over the past decade, Asean has expanded from six to cover ten countries with diverse political social and economic backgrounds. This rapid expansion has both constructive and negative consequences. In some cases, the different levels of economic development and myriad of political systems within the member countries have stymied

The upcoming fellowship will take stocks of recent regional development in particular, Asean government’s response to the US-led global anti-terrorism campaign following the September 11 incidents. It envisaged conflict issues affecting the stability of Asean governments. Together with these global agenda, the fellowship program will also focus on issues affecting freedom of expression and media freedom.

B. Objective

The course will expose fellows to various aspects of Asean development (security, human rights, diplomacy, its response to rapid global changes). They will have opportunity to discuss and share views with experts on the issues. They will hear the experience of fellow journalists and regional wisdom from those covering regional affair. Fellows will have clearer ideas and background as well as leads to follow up on their assignment.

C. Goal

Fellows will gain better knowledge about the region and have the right focus when cover stories related to Asean. They will have right contacts and network to follow on issues once they were not familiar with or found it difficult to get right and adequate information. Eventually, this course will create a pool of journalists who are keen on the issues of their own region and help forge better understanding of their people of the region.

D. Program Description

The program allows fellows to get comprehensive perspective of Asean to prepare them when they went into the field. It also gives them opportunities to share and compare media situations in their respective countries. Besides, it selected current issues in Asean namely, peace-process in Aceh and Burma and the constitutional development in Thailand for debates among resource persons and participants to invoke

The program activities include lectures and panel discussion with resource persons (academics, veteran diplomats, specialists and human rights group) specialized on various aspects of Asean from outside the government circle. They will also have opportunity to visit selective newspaper in Thailand to get first-hand views on the Thai media and topics of mutual interest.

Program Course (41 days)

Program Activity Venue

Phase I – Orientation and seminars (May 12-19) The Emerald Hotel/Bangkok

Phase II- Country Visit (May19-June18) Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines andThailand

Phase III- Report Wrap-up and Evaluation Thai Journalists Association (June18-22)

Host Organizations:

-Malaysia: Malaysiakini.com

-Indonesia: Institute for the study on the Free Flow of Information

-Philippines: Philippine Center for Investigative Reporting, Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility

-Thailand: Bangkok Post/The Nation

During the program, SEAPA covers expenses incurred on the following:

2) Local transportation related the program

3) Accommodation in Bangkok

4) Accommodation in destination countries (US$500 plus depending on the locations)

5) Per Diem (US$1,000 for the second phase of the program)

6) Meals and excursion related to the program (First Phase)

7) Travel Insurance

8) Translation and Liaison

SEAPA agrees to grant another US$500 (maximum) for fellows who will have charges for transport or accommodation outside the budget since some fellows extended their travel plan to include countryside. Besides, accommodation rate varies from places to places.

E. Criteria of admission:

1) Interested in the evolution of Asean region

2) Print or broadcast media with seven years in experience

3) Affiliated with media organizations or freelance

4) A letter of introduction, explaining their jobs and the reasons they want to join the program

5) Two References letters-one from immediate boss and the other from academic or experts on conflicted issues

6) Five samples of their works that related to the program’s theme

7) No health problems

Application Announcement: January 15, 2002 on SEAPA web site and through each member organizations and contacts in Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand

Closing Date: March 15 2002

Announcement of Winners: March 31, 2002